Double First Base System

ABSTRACT

This patent application is for a baseball and softball safety base systems generally, and more specifically a double first base system with a removable secondary side base portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/924,011, filed Apr. 26, 2007 and which is hereinincorporated in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Baseball and softball bases generally, and more specifically a doublefirst base system with a removable secondary side base portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise precisely specified.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a portion of a baseball or softball infieldshowing a double first base system with a removable secondary baseportion installed at a first base, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a detailed top view of a removable secondary base portion ofa double first base system of FIG. 1 showing a substantially L-shapedflange extending from beneath one side of the removable secondary baseportion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the removable secondary base portion of FIG.2 a showing the substantially L-shaped flange depending downwardly froma bottom edge of the removable secondary base portion, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 c is a cross-section view along line A-A of FIG. 2 b, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 d is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the substantiallyL-shaped flange shown in FIG. 2 c, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 a is a detailed top perspective view of a removable secondarybase portion of a double first base system, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 b is an enlarged top cut-away view of the substantially L-shapedflange of the removable secondary base portion of FIG. 3 a, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 c is a cross-sectional view of the removable secondary baseportion of the double first base along line C-C of FIG. 2 b, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 d is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a side of the removablesecondary base portion shown in FIG. 3 c, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front side view of an exploded assembly of a double firstbase system of FIG. 1, including an anchor system, a removable secondarybase, and a first base pillow, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exploded assembly of the assembly of FIG. 4as seen from foul territory, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a front side, top perspective view of the exploded assembly ofFIG. 4 as seen from foul territory, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a back side, top perspective view of the exploded assembly ofFIG. 4 as seen from fair territory, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of a double first base system, includinga base plate portion of an anchor system, a removable secondary base,and a first base pillow, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 a is a detailed top view of a removable secondary base portion ofa double first base system of FIG. 1 with multiple nipples extendingfrom a side of the removable secondary base portion, in accordance withan alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 b is a side view of the removable secondary base portion of FIG.9 a showing a nipple extending from a side of the removable secondarybase portion, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 c is a cross-section view along line A-A of FIG. 9 b, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 d is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nipple shown in FIG.9 c, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of a double first base system,including a base plate portion of an anchor system, the removablesecondary base of FIG. 9 a, and a first base pillow, in accordance withan alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the exploded assembly of the assembly of FIG.10 as seen from foul territory, in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front side, top perspective view of the exploded assemblyof FIG. 10 as seen from foul territory, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a first base pillow as seen from foulterritory and for use with the assembly of FIG. 10, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a nipple, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a nipple receiving recessadapted to receive the nipple of FIG. 14, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of a base plate portion andstanchion of an anchor system showing one edge of the base plate portionadapted to removably receive a reciprocally shaped portion of aremovable secondary base, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the base plate portion andstanchion of the anchor system of FIG. 16 showing a mock-up of areciprocally shaped portion of a removable secondary base removablypositioned on the one edge of the base plate portion adapted toremovably receive the reciprocally shaped portion of the removablesecondary base, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of an assembly of the double firstbase system including the base plate portion of the anchor system andthe removable secondary base in an assembled or mated state according tovarious embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 19 a is a perspective view of an exploded assembly of the doublefirst base system including the base plate of the anchor system and theremovable secondary base according to various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 b is a cross-section view along line B-B of FIG. 18, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention illustrated withrespect to FIG. 18; and

FIG. 19 c is a cross-section view along line C-C of FIG. 18, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention illustrated withrespect to FIG. 18.

DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, adouble first base system may include (i.e., comprise) a disengagable(e.g., safety) first base and anchor system, such as, a safety base andanchor system, for example, but not limited to, the safety base systemsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,266,768, 4,398,715, 4,531,733, 4,634,120,4,744,561, 4,979,740, 5,415,394, 5,556,089, 5,590,874, and 5,772,539,all to the inventor of the present application, and all of which arehereby incorporated in their entireties herein, and a removablesecondary base, as variously shown and described in the attachedDrawings. In general, the removable secondary base may be manufacturedfrom one or more elastomeric materials, for example, but not limited to,neoprene, to a variety of hardness qualities ranging from about a 40 orless durometer (soft) to about a 90 or higher durometer (hard). Forexample, but not limited to, in one embodiment of the present invention,the removable secondary base may be made to have a durometer reading of70 and with a smooth, grooved and/or smooth and grooved top surface. Thestyle and level of hardness may be determined by the age of the playersand level of the players skill, for example, for Major League Baseballsmooth removable secondary bases with higher durometer readings may beused, while for Little League Baseball small grooved removable secondarybases with lower durometer readings and/or Youth League Softball largegrooved removable secondary bases with lower durometer may be used. Inthose embodiments with grooves, they are, generally, oriented so thatwhen the removable secondary base is installed with the first base, thegrooves in the removable secondary base are substantially perpendicularto the first base line. Similarly, lower durometer removable secondarybases will generally be used for non-metal cleats and higher durometerremovable secondary bases will generally be used for metal cleats. Inaddition, the material used for the removable secondary base may includeultra violet (U.V.) ray inhibitors and/or colors, for example, but notlimited to, green, yellow, orange, and pink.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, theremovable secondary base may include an L-shaped and downwardlydepending flange adapted to cooperate with the anchor system of thefirst base to fixedly hold the removable secondary base in position nextto the first base outside the first baseline in foul territory. The footportion, i.e., the short bottom portion of, the L-shaped flange may beattached to one side of and depend away from a bottom of the removablesecondary base. The upright portion, i.e., the long upright portion ofthe L-shaped flange may be disposed perpendicular to the foot portionand substantially parallel with the bottom of the removable secondarybase. The upright portion may also include a groove running along thelength of the L-shaped flange and substantially parallel with the sideof the base to which the removable secondary base is attached. Thegroove may be adapted to conform to a bottom edge portion of the anchorsystem to enable a secure mating of the removable secondary base and theanchor system. The L-shaped flange may also include openings in thegroove in the flange as well as notches in the top of the uprightportion to also cooperate with elements of the bottom of the anchorsystem to enable a more secure attachment between the removablesecondary base and the anchor system. The removable secondary base mayalso have ridges extending from the under side of and along a width ofthe removable secondary base that extend beyond the bottom of the basefor engagement with the dirt under the removable secondary base. Theseridges may have a substantially pointed distal end that extends beyondthe bottom of the base, for example, the end may be triangular incross-section, to aid in keeping the removable secondary base stable andin position next to the first base. Alternatively, pyramidal-shapedpoints may be spaced across the distal end of each ridge to aid inkeeping the removable secondary base stable and in position next to thefirst base, for example, when downward pressure from a base runner isexerted against the top surface of the removable secondary base.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, theremovable secondary base may have a lower height than the first base.Other embodiments are also contemplated in which the removable secondarybase may be of the same height as the first base. Although the removablesecondary base may also be of a height higher than the first base, it isnot expected that this will be desirable or acceptable to baseballand/or softball leagues.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, theanchor system may include an upright post and a base plate adapted tocooperatively engage with the substantially L-shaped flange on theremovable secondary base. The base plate may be, for example, anHB-2-DBL-1 Model Base Plate manufactured by Rogers USA, Inc. ofElizabeth, Pa. Such adapted anchor systems and adapted base plates asdescribed herein designed to cooperatively engage with the substantiallyL-shaped flange on the removable secondary base may only be suitable foruse with the removable secondary base embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a portion of a baseball or softball infieldshowing a double first base system installed at a first base, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, aportion of a baseball and/or softball infield 100 includes a home plate110, a first base line 112, a third base line 114, a pitcher's mound120, a first base 130, and a removable second base 140. The area ofinfield 100 defined by the right angle between the first base line 112and the third base line 114 is considered fair territory 150 and thearea of the infield 100 outside this area is considered foul territory160. As shown in FIG. 1, the home plate 110 is located in fair territory150 at the apex of the right angle created by the first base line 112and the third base line 114, which aligns with the back edges of thehome plate 110, the pitcher's mound is located straight ahead of thehome plate 110 in fair territory 150, and the first base 130 is alsolocated in fair territory 150 with one edge of the first base 130, forexample, the right edge 132, arranged parallel to the first base line112. The removable secondary base 140 is located in foul territory 160with one side of the first base, for example, the left side 144,arranged parallel to the first base line 112 and abutted to the rightside 132 of the first base 130. The combination of the first base 130and the removable secondary base 140 makes up a double first base system170.

FIG. 2 a is a detailed top view of a removable secondary base portion ofa double first base system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The removable secondary base portion 140 of thedouble first base system 170 of FIG. 1, is shown in FIG. 2 a to includea top portion 250 from which an L-shaped integral flange 260 ultimatelydepends from one side of the removable secondary base portion 140, forexample, the left side 144. Multiple grooves 252 having variable lengthsare shown extending perpendicular to and centered across a center line Xon a top side 254 of the top portion 250. In general, the grooves nearera middle 256 of the top portion 250 are shorter than the grooves nearerouter edges 257, 258 of the top portion 250.

The L-shaped integral flange 260 in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d, isshown extending away from the left side 144 of the removable secondarybase 140 and the integral flange 260 is shown to include an outer raisedportion 262 and an inner grooved portion 264. Multiple openings 266 aredefined within the inner grooved portion 264 and adapted to removablymate with a reciprocally shaped bottom portion of the first base 130. Ingeneral, the grooved portion 264 is adapted to fit onto areciprocally-keyed portion of an outer rim of a bottom edge of a topportion of a base plate used to anchor first base 130 in position oninfield 100, and the outer raised portion 262 is adapted to fit within agroove running next to the outer rim of the bottom edge of the topportion of the base plate. An outer edge 268 of the L-shaped integralflange 260 is adapted to fit against an inner rim defining an interiorside of the groove running next to the outer rim of the bottom edge ofthe top portion of the base plate. The base plate is shown and describedin greater detail in FIGS. 9 and 10. The outer edge 268 of the outerraised portion 262 may include indents, for example, but not limited to,a pair of substantially U-shaped indents, separated by a middle portion265 of the outer raised portion 262, where the middle portion 265 isshorter than the outer edge 268.

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the removable secondary base portion of FIG.1 showing the substantially L-shaped integral flange dependingdownwardly from a bottom edge 259 of the removable secondary baseportion 140, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.In FIG. 2 b, a top end of a foot portion 261 of the L-shaped integralflange 260 may depend downwardly and away from the bottom edge 259 ofthe removable secondary base portion 140, and a bottom end of the footportion 261 may connect to the grooved portion 264, which in turnconnects to the raised portion 262. The top side 254 of the top portion250 may have a uniform convex shape such that the top side 254 may havefour triangular shaped and substantially equal sides extend from eachcorner of the top side 254 and ending in the middle 256 of the topportion 250.

FIG. 2 c is a cross-section view along line A-A of FIG. 2 b, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 d is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the substantiallyL-shaped integral flange 260 shown in FIG. 2 c, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a detailed top perspective view of the removable secondarybase portion 140 of the double first base system 170 in FIG. 1, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is an enlarged top cut-away view of the substantially L-shapedintegral flange 260 of the removable secondary base portion 140 of FIG.3 a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 c is a cross-sectional view of the removable secondary baseportion 140 of the double first base system 170 along line C-C of FIG. 2b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3c, removable secondary base portion 140 may include a substantiallyconcave bottom surface 305 away from which multiple ridges 310 mayextend substantially perpendicularly away from the bottom surface 305,toward and through an imaginary plane running across the bottom edge 259of the removable secondary base portion 140. Although ridges 310 areshown to run perpendicular to the L-shaped flange 260, they may also runparallel to the L-shaped flange 260. In addition, each ridge 310 mayinclude multiple protrusions 312, for example, but not limited to,triangular-shaped protrusions located on and across the distal edge ofthe ridge, and/or pyramidal-shaped protrusions located on and spacedacross the distal edge of the ridge.

FIG. 3 d is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a side of the removablesecondary base portion shown in FIG. 3 c, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3 d, an outer wall 320extends around an outer perimeter of and depends downwardly away fromthe top side 254 and a bottom of outer wall 320 defines the bottom edge259 of top portion 250.

FIG. 4 is a front side view of an exploded assembly of the double firstbase system 170 of FIG. 1, including a base plate 420 of an anchorsystem, a removable secondary base 140, and a first base pillow, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, thedouble first base system 170 may include first base 130, an anchorsystem 410, and the removable secondary base 140. The anchor system 410may include a base plate 420 with a top surface 424 and a bottom surface426, and a stanchion post 430 affixed to the bottom side of andsubstantially in the middle of base plate 420. Stanchion post 430 isadapted to fit within an anchor sleeve in an anchor base that may befilled with concrete and buried in the ground. Base plate 420 mayinclude multiple fastener protrusions 422, for example, but not limitedto, nipples 422 that may be spaced equidistantly around the top surface424 of base plate 420, and multiple locator blocks 428 located on thebottom surface 426 of base plate 420. The multiple fastener protrusions422 may also be spaced individually and randomly as well as in smallgroups around the top surface 424 of base plate 420.

In FIG. 4, the removable secondary base 140 may include top portion 250and L-shaped flange 260 depending away from bottom edge 259 along oneside of top portion 250. In general, in most embodiments, top portion250 is shorter in height than first base 130. In fact, in someembodiments top portion 250 is so much shorter that first base 130 thatwhen first base 130 releases/disengages from base plate 420 during aforceful slide back into first base 130 from the side opposite of theremovable secondary base 140, the disengaged first base 130 slides upand over the removable secondary base 140.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exploded assembly of the assembly of FIG. 4as seen from foul territory, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 5, the first base 130 is seen positionedabove the top surface 424 of base plate 420 and in position toreleasably connect with the fastener elements 422. Although not shown inFIG. 5, first base 130 has reciprocal fastener element receivingopenings defined in and positioned in a bottom of first base 130similar, but not limited, to that illustrated in FIG. 14. In FIG. 5,base plate 420 is also connected to stanchion 430, which extendsdownwardly and away from a middle of base plate 420. Base plate 420 mayalso include multiple recesses 510 in bottom edge 426 that may beadapted to receive and removably fit with L-shaped flange 260, such thatwhen first base 130 is attached to base plate 420, one side of firstbase 130 is above the L-shaped flange 260 and adjacent a side ofremovable secondary base 140. Removable secondary base 140 is positionedsuch that L-shaped flange lies beneath and fits into recesses 510 on thebottom edge 426 of base plate 420.

FIG. 6 is a front side, top perspective view of the exploded assembly ofFIG. 4 as seen from foul territory, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In FIG. 6, the L-shaped flange 260 of theremovable secondary base 140 is shown positioned below the recesses 510in base plate 420, which in turn is positioned below first base 130.

FIG. 7 is a back side, top perspective view of the exploded assembly ofFIG. 4 as seen from fair territory, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of a double first base system, includingan anchor system, a removable secondary base, and a first base pillow,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8,first base 130 is shown above base plate 420, which is seen withoutstanchion 430. Removable secondary base 140 is seen from a side ofremovable secondary base 140 that, when removable secondary base 140 isinstalled with first base 130, would be viewable from a right field sideof the removable secondary base 140.

FIG. 9 a is a detailed top view of a removable secondary base portion ofa double first base system of FIG. 1 with at least one fastener element,for example, but not limited to, nipples extending from a side of theremovable secondary base portion, in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention. Although FIG. 9 a shows threefastener elements 960, other embodiments are contemplated to include 1,2, 4, 5, or more fastener elements 960. In FIG. 9 a, the removablesecondary base portion 140′ of the double first base system 170 of FIG.1, is shown, in FIG. 9 a, to include a top portion 950 from which one ormore fastener elements 960, for example, but not limited to, nipples 960from one side of the removable secondary base portion 140, for example,the left side 144′. Multiple grooves 952 having variable lengths areshown extending perpendicular to and centered across a center line X ona top side 954 of the top portion 950. In general, the grooves nearer amiddle 956 of the top portion 950 are shorter than the grooves nearerouter edges 957, 958 of the top portion 950.

The at least one fastener element 960 in FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, and 9 d,is shown extending away from the left side 144′ of the removablesecondary base 140′ and the at least one fastener element 960 is shownto include an outer raised portion 962 and an inner shaft portion 964.Multiple openings (not shown) are defined in a side wall of first base130 and adapted to releaseably mate with the at least one fastenerelement 960. In general, the at least one fastener element 960 isadapted to fit onto a reciprocally-keyed recess in first base 130 inposition on infield 100.

FIG. 9 b is a side view of the removable secondary base portion of FIG.9 a showing a nipple extending from a side of the removable secondarybase portion, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 9 b, each of the at least one fastenerelements 960 may extend out and away from the left side 144′ of theremovable secondary base portion 140′. The top side 954 of the topportion 950 may have a substantially uniform convex shape such that thetop side 954 may have four triangular shaped and substantially equalsides extend from each corner of the top side 954 and ending in themiddle 956 of the top portion 950.

FIG. 9 c is a cross-section view along line A-A of FIG. 9 b, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 d is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nipple fastenerelement 960 shown in FIG. 9 c, in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of a double first base system,including a base plate portion of an anchor system, the removablesecondary base of FIG. 9 a, and a first base pillow, in accordance withan alternative embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, firstbase 130′ is shown above a base plate 920 of an anchor system 910, whichis seen without a stanchion. Removable secondary base 140′ is seen froma side of removable secondary base 140′ that, when removable secondarybase 140′ is installed with first base 130′, would be viewable from theright field side of the removable secondary base 140′.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the exploded assembly of FIG. 10 as seen fromfoul territory, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 11, a first base 130′ is seen positionedabove a top surface 924 of a base plate 920 and in position toreleasably connect with fastener elements 922. Although not shown inFIG. 9, first base 130′ has reciprocal fastener element receivingopenings defined in and positioned in a bottom of first base 130′similar, but not limited, to that illustrated in FIG. 15. Also, in FIG.11, first base 130′ is seen to include three fastener element receivingopenings 1010 defined in a side of first base 130′. However, otherembodiments with 1, 2, 4, 5, or more fastener element receiving openingsare contemplated to either equal or exceed the number of fastenerelements. Base plate 920 is also connected to a stanchion 930, whichextends downwardly and away from a middle of base plate 920. In general,in this embodiment, base plate 920 has a substantially flat bottom edge926 and top surface 924 is adapted to receive and removably fit on andwith a top side of a base anchor portion, such that when first base 130′is attached to base plate 920, each of the fastener elements 960 onremovable secondary base 140 may be releasably connected to an opening1010.

FIG. 12 is a front side, top perspective view of the exploded assemblyof FIG. 10 as seen from foul territory, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a first base pillow as seen from foulterritory and for use with the assembly of FIG. 10, in accordance withyet another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, a firstbase 130″ is seen to include three fastener element receiving openingsand grooves 1310 defined in a side of first base 130″. In general, eachreceiving opening and groove 1310 may include a substantially circularopening 1312 defined in the side of first base 130″ and thesubstantially circular opening 1312 is connected to and in communicationwith a slotted groove 1314. Fastener elements 960 may be inserted intothe substantially circular opening 1312 and then slid away from thesubstantially circular opening 1312 toward a distal end of the slottedgroove 1314. In general, as the fastener elements 960 are sliding towardthe distal end of the slotted groove 1314 the walls of the slottedgrooves and exterior of the fastener elements frictionally engage andhold the double first base system 170 together. This tends to hold theremovable secondary base in place next to the first base 130″ even whensubjected to a force from the home plate and/or second base sides. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the orientation of the openings andslotted grooves requires the fastener elements 960 of the removablesecondary base 140′ to be pushed into the substantially circular opening1312 and then the removable secondary base 140′ may be pushed toward thedistal end of the slotted groove 1314. In other words the removablesecondary base 140′ may be pushed away from home plate and toward rightfield.

However, an alternative embodiment is also contemplated in which each ofthe circular openings and slotted grooves are oriented 180° in theopposite direction to that shown in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, thefastener elements 960 of the removable secondary base 140′ may be pushedinto the substantially circular opening 1312 and then the removablesecondary base 140′ may be pushed toward the distal end of the slottedgroove 1314. In this embodiment, the removable secondary base 140′ maybe pushed toward home plate to frictionally engage the fastener elements960 and the walls in the slotted opening 1314. As a result, this tendsto hold the removable secondary base 140′ in place next to the firstbase 130″ even when subjected to a force from the home plate side, suchas when a player slides into first base coming from home plate.

FIG. 14 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a fastener element, forexample, but not limited to, a nipple or post anchor, in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 14, details ofa nipple 960 are seen to include, for example, but not limited to,nipple 960 may extend above a surface from which it projects byapproximately 0.47″. Nipple 960 is shown to have an initial beveled footportion 1431 starting with a diameter of approximately 0.625″ and afterabout 0.06″ tapering down to a first constant diameter column 1432 witha diameter of approximately 0.5″ and a length of approximately 0.1″.First constant diameter column 1432 ends and a second constant diametercolumn 1433 with a diameter of approximately 0.625″ and a length ofapproximately 0.09″, which creates a ledge 1435 to rest against aninterior lip 1535 in a nipple recess 1505 in FIG. 15 to removably holdfastener element 960 in place within recess 1505. Returning to FIG. 14,second constant diameter column 1433 is subsequently connected to atapered cap 1437 that tapers inwardly away from second constant diametercolumn 1433 toward a substantially flat top 1439 that ends approximately0.47″ above the second constant diameter column 1433.

FIG. 15 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a nipple receiving recessadapted to receive the nipple of FIG. 14, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 15, details of nipplerecess 1505 are seen to include, for example, but not limited to, a wall1510 with a thickness of at least 0.75″. Recess 1505 is shown to have aninitial beveled opening starting with a diameter of approximately 0.75″and after about 0.062″ tapering down to a first constant diameter column1532 with a diameter of approximately 0.6″ and a length of approximately0.063″. First constant diameter column 1532 ends and a second constantdiameter column 1533 with a diameter of approximately 0.75″ and a lengthof approximately 0.085″, which creates an interior lip 1535 to hold apost anchor and/or fastener. Second constant diameter column 1533 issubsequently connected to a tapered top portion 1537 that tapersinwardly away from second constant diameter column 1533 toward asubstantially a flat top 1539.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of a base plate portion andstanchion of an anchor system showing one edge of the base plate portionadapted to removably receive a reciprocally shaped L-shaped flange of aremovable secondary base, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 16 a mockup L-shaped flange 1610 is shownlaying diagonally across a bottom of base plate 420 on which is shownbottom edge 426, locator blocks 428, stanchion 430, and recesses 510into which the mockup L-shaped flange 1610 is adapted to removably fit.

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the base plate portion andstanchion of an anchor system of FIG. 16 showing the mock-up of theL-shaped flange of a removable secondary base removably positioned onthe one edge of the base plate portion adapted to removably receive theL-shaped flange of the removable secondary base, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

Additional embodiments are also contemplated that may include theL-shaped flange 260 and one or more fastening elements 960, for example,one or more nipples as shown in FIGS. 9 a-9 d, 12, and 14. Thisconfiguration may be used with either the fastener element recesses 1010of FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 15 or the circular openings 1312 and grooves1314 of FIG. 13. In general, one or two fastener elements 960 andfastener element recesses 1010 should be sufficient in combination withthe L-shaped flange 260 to hold the removable secondary base 140 firmlyin place next to the first base 130. In addition, in another embodiment,the removable secondary base 140 with L-shaped flange 260 may befastened to the bottom side of base plate 420 using a large flat headscrew or a bolt and washer in cooperation with the pair of U-shapedindents 263 in the L-shaped flange 260 and a threaded recess in thebottom side of base plate 420. Alternatively, the head of the bolt maybe embedded in the bottom side of base plate 420 with the threads of thebolt extending outwardly from the bottom side of base plate 420 so thatthey extend up through the pair of U-shaped indents 263 to be able toreceive a bolt with or without a washer to fasten the L-shaped flange260 to the base plate 420.

Furthermore, FIG. 18 is a bottom view of an assembly of the double firstbase system 170, including the base plate 420 of the anchor system 410,the removable secondary base 140, in an assembled or mated stateaccording to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 18, the concave bottom surface 305 of the removable secondary base140 can include a plurality of cavity portions 340. The cavity portions340 can be formed by the ridges 310 of the bottom surface 305. Invarious embodiments, the triangular-shaped protrusions 312 on the ridges310 of the bottom surface 305 of the removable secondary base portion140 can be located at the intersections of the ridges 310. Furthermore,each of the U-shaped indents 263 in the L-shaped flange 260 cansubstantially surround a circular portion 440 of the base plate 420. Invarious embodiments, the surface of the circular portion 440 can behigher than or raised with respect to the surface of the base plate 420,lower than or recessed with respect to the surface of the base plate420, or at the same height or level with the surface of the base plate420.

As further shown in FIG. 18, in various additional embodiments theL-shaped flange 260′ can include one or more finger portions 270 whichextend outwardly from the foot portion 261. FIG. 19 a is a perspectiveview of an exploded assembly of the double first base system 170,including the base plate 420 of the anchor system 410, the removablesecondary base 140, according to various embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 19 a, in various embodiments the L-shapedflange 260′ can include one or more finger portions 270 which extendoutwardly from the foot portion 261. Each finger portion 270 can beconstructed to have dimensions that frictionally engage with at leasttwo interior side wall portions of a corresponding cavity portion 340 ofthe concave bottom surface 305 of the removable secondary base 140. Eachof the finger portions 270 can be constructed to have a shapesubstantially conforming to, or fitting within, one of the cavityportions 340 included in the underside 305 of the removable secondarybase portion 140. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 a, in variousembodiments the finger portion 270 can have a three-dimensional “ramp”shape (e.g., a triangular shape from a two-dimensional side view of thefinger portion 270, with a third dimension of a width). In at least oneembodiment, all finger portions 270 can have the same dimensions.

In these embodiments, the finger portions 270 can provide additionalattachment force as compared to embodiments without the finger portions270, such that a breakaway force required to separate the removablesecondary base 140 from the anchor system 410 is increased forembodiments having the finger portions 270. One or more finger portions270 can be provided by L-shaped flange 260′. In particular, thebreakaway force provided by the system 170 can be a function of thenumber of finger portions 270 provided with the L-shaped flange 260′,the degree of mechanical interference between the finger portions 270and the cavity portions 340, and the hardness of the material used toform the finger portions 270. In various embodiments, breakaway forcecan be adjusted through selection of one or more of these factors.

FIG. 19 b is a cross-section view along line B-B of FIG. 18, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention illustrated withrespect to FIG. 18.

FIG. 19 c is a cross-section view along line C-C of FIG. 18, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention illustrated withrespect to FIG. 18.

As shown in FIGS. 19 b and 19 c, a solid strip of material 275 (notshown in FIG. 18) can be attached to the topmost surface (with respectto the cavity 340) of the finger portions 270 to provide additionalstrength against tearing and stability against rolling or twisting ofthe finger portions 270 for side-to-side movement caused by, forexample, a lateral force being applied against the removable secondarybase axially or coaxially along the foul line. In various embodiments,the solid strip 275 can have a thickness substantially the same as thedimension of the triangular-shaped protrusions 312. For example, in atleast one embodiment, the solid strip can have dimensions of about ¼inch in thickness by 12.125 inches in length by 2 inches in width. Thesolid strip 275 can be integrally molded with the L-shaped flange 260′as a single piece.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, adouble base system including a base plate including a top portion and abottom portion, the top portion having a top side and a bottom side, thetop side of the top portion having a surrounding beveled edge and meansfor fastening, the bottom side having at least one edge adapted toremovably receive an attachment device, the bottom portion including ashaft having a top end and a bottom end, with the top end beingconnected to substantially a middle of the bottom side of the topportion and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the bottomside of the top portion, the bottom portion being adapted to mate withand be held in position by a base anchor. The system further including afirst base top including reciprocal means for fastening located on abottom side of the first base top that are adapted to be releasablyconnected to the fastening means on the top portion of the base plate.The system still further including a second base top including a baseportion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side wall having a topand a bottom and the side wall extending completely around anddownwardly away from a bottom edge of the top surface and a bottom edgeof the bottom surface and the bottom of the side wall defining a baseedge around the bottom of the second base top, and an integral connectorflange as the attachment device and where the integral connector flangehas a first wall extending downwardly and away from an edge of thebottom surface and then a second wall extending substantiallyperpendicularly and away from a bottom of the first wall andsubstantially parallel to and away from the bottom surface of the baseportion, the integral connector flange being adapted to be removablyconnected to one of the at least one edge on the bottom side of the baseplate so that the second base top is located immediately adjacent to thefirst base top.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, adouble base system including a base plate including a top portion and abottom portion, the top portion having a top side and a bottom side, thetop side of the top portion having a surrounding beveled edge and meansfor fastening, the bottom portion including a shaft having a top end anda bottom end with the top end being connected to substantially a middleof the bottom side of the top portion and extending substantiallyperpendicularly away from the bottom side of the top portion, the bottomportion being adapted to mate with and be held in position by a baseanchor. The system further including a first base top having a top side,a bottom side, a contiguous first base side wall having a top and abottom and the first base side wall extending completely around anddownwardly away from a bottom edge of the top surface, the bottom sideincluding reciprocal means for fastening that are adapted to bereleasably connected to the fastening means on the top portion of thebase plate, the first base top further including at least one fasteningelement recess on at least one side of the first base side wall. Thesystem still further including a second base top including a baseportion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a second base side wallhaving a top and a bottom and the second base side wall extendingcompletely around and downwardly away from a bottom edge of the topsurface and a bottom edge of the bottom surface and the bottom of thesecond base side wall defining a base edge around the bottom of thesecond base top, and at least one fastening element as the attachmentdevice located on a single side of the second base side wall with the atleast one fastening element being adapted to be removably connected tothe least one fastening element recess so that the second base top islocated immediately adjacent to the first base top.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, adouble base system including a base plate including a top portion and abottom portion, the top portion having a top side and a bottom side, thetop side of the top portion having a surrounding beveled edge and meansfor fastening, the bottom side having at least one edge adapted toremovably receive an attachment device, the bottom portion including ashaft having a top end and a bottom end, with the top end beingconnected to substantially a middle of the bottom side of the topportion and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the bottomside of the top portion, the bottom portion being adapted to mate withand be held in position by a base anchor, the bottom portion furtherincluding at least one threaded recess in the bottom side of the topportion adapted to engage a reciprocally threaded fastener element. Thesystem further including a first base top including reciprocal means forfastening located on a bottom side of the first base top that areadapted to be releasably connected to the fastening means on the topportion of the base plate. The system still further including a secondbase top including a base portion having a top surface, a bottomsurface, a side wall having a top and a bottom and the side wallextending completely around and downwardly away from a bottom edge ofthe top surface and a bottom edge of the bottom surface and the bottomof the side wall defining a base edge around the bottom of the secondbase top, and an integral connector flange as the attachment device andwhere the integral connector flange has a first wall extendingdownwardly and away from an edge of the bottom surface and then a secondwall extending substantially perpendicularly and away from a bottom ofthe first wall and substantially parallel to and away from the bottomsurface of the base portion, the integral connector flange being adaptedto be removably connected to one of the at least one edge on the bottomside of the base plate and adapted to removably receive and be held inplace by the at least one reciprocally threaded fastener element when itengages the at least one threaded recess in the bottom side of the topportion so that the second base top is located immediately adjacent tothe first base top.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, adouble first base system as substantially shown and described herein.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, aremovable secondary base system as substantially shown and describedherein.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with anumber of embodiments, the invention is not to be limited to thedescription of the embodiments contained herein, but rather is definedby the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. It is furtherevident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations would beor are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts.Accordingly, all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, andvariations that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A double base system comprising: a base plate including a top portionand a bottom portion, the top portion having a top side and a bottomside, the top side of the top portion having a surrounding beveled edgeand means for fastening, the bottom side having at least one edgeadapted to removably receive an attachment device, the bottom portionincluding a shaft having a top end and a bottom end, with the top endbeing connected to substantially a middle of the bottom side of the topportion and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the bottomside of the top portion, the bottom portion being adapted to mate withand be held in position by a base anchor; a first base top includingreciprocal means for fastening located on a bottom side of the firstbase top that are adapted to be releasably connected to the fasteningmeans on the top portion of the base plate; and a second base topincluding a base portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall having a top and a bottom and the side wall extending completelyaround and downwardly away from a bottom edge of the top surface and abottom edge of the bottom surface and the bottom of the side walldefining a base edge around the bottom of the second base top, and anintegral connector flange as the attachment device and where theintegral connector flange has a first wall extending downwardly and awayfrom an edge of the bottom surface and then a second wall extendingsubstantially perpendicularly and away from a bottom of the first walland substantially parallel to and away from the bottom surface of thebase portion, the integral connector flange being adapted to beremovably connected to one of the at least one edge on the bottom sideof the base plate so that the second base top is located immediatelyadjacent to the first base top.
 2. The double base system of claim 1wherein the fastening means comprise: a plurality of nipples adapted toreleasably engage the reciprocal fastening means on the first base top.3. The double base system of claim 2 wherein the reciprocal fasteningmeans comprise: a plurality of fastening recesses adapted to releasablyengage the plurality of nipples on the base plate.
 4. The double basesystem of claim 1 wherein the at least one edge of the bottom side ofthe base plate is adapted to removably receive an attachment devicecomprises: a plurality of recesses separated by a plurality of tabsalong the at least one edge of the bottom side of the base plate.
 5. Thedouble base system of claim 4 wherein the second wall of the integralconnector flange comprises: a plurality of extensions separated by aplurality of tab openings defined in and extending through the secondwall and the plurality of extensions and the plurality of tab openingsare adapted to removably receive the plurality of recesses and theplurality of tabs along the at least one edge of the bottom side of thebase plate.
 6. The double base system of claim 5 wherein when theplurality of tabs along the at least one edge of the bottom side of thebase plate are inserted into the plurality of tab openings defined inand extending through the second wall and the base plate is connected tothe base anchor and placed against a section of ground above the baseanchor, the base plate removably secures the second base top in positionon top of a section of ground next to the base plate.
 7. The double basesystem of claim 5 wherein the second wall of the integral connectorflange further comprises: a groove along a portion of the second wallthrough which the plurality of tab openings are defined and extend. 8.The double base system of claim 7 wherein the first wall of the integralconnector flange comprises: at least one notch adapted to cooperate withat least one detent on the base plate to further secure the second basetop to the base plate and the first base top.
 9. The double base systemof claim 1 wherein the top surface of the second base top has asubstantially convex shape.
 10. The double base system of claim 9wherein the top surface of the second base top comprises: a plurality ofparallel grooves oriented perpendicular to the integral connectorflange.
 11. The double base system of claim 10 wherein the bottomsurface of the second base top has a substantially concave shape. 12.The double base system of claim 11 wherein the bottom surface of thesecond base top further comprises: a plurality of parallel ridgesrunning substantially parallel to each other across and extending awayfrom the bottom surface of the second base top and orientedperpendicular to a plane along the base edge of the second base top. 13.The double base system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of parallelridges extend beyond the plane along the base edge and the part of theparallel ridges extending beyond the plane along the base edge of thesecond base top have a substantially pointed end.
 14. The double basesystem of claim 13 wherein a cross-section of the part of the parallelridges extending beyond the plane along the base edge of the second basetop has a substantially triangular shape.
 15. A double base systemcomprising: a base plate including a top portion and a bottom portion,the top portion having a top side and a bottom side, the top side of thetop portion having a surrounding beveled edge and means for fastening,the bottom portion including a shaft having a top end and a bottom endwith the top end being connected to substantially a middle of the bottomside of the top portion and extending substantially perpendicularly awayfrom the bottom side of the top portion, the bottom portion beingadapted to mate with and be held in position by a base anchor; a firstbase top having a top side, a bottom side, a contiguous first base sidewall having a top and a bottom and the first base side wall extendingcompletely around and downwardly away from a bottom edge of the topsurface, the bottom side including reciprocal means for fastening thatare adapted to be releasably connected to the fastening means on the topportion of the base plate, the first base top further including at leastone fastening element recess on at least one side of the first base sidewall; and a second base top including a base portion having a topsurface, a bottom surface, a second base side wall having a top and abottom and the second base side wall extending completely around anddownwardly away from a bottom edge of the top surface and a bottom edgeof the bottom surface and the bottom of the second base side walldefining a base edge around the bottom of the second base top, and atleast one fastening element as the attachment device located on a singleside of the second base side wall with the at least one fasteningelement being adapted to be removably connected to the least onefastening element recess so that the second base top is locatedimmediately adjacent to the first base top.
 16. The double base systemof claim 15 wherein the fastening means comprise: a plurality of nipplesadapted to releasably engage the reciprocal fastening means on the firstbase top.
 17. The double base system of claim 16 wherein the reciprocalfastening means comprise: a plurality of fastening recesses adapted toreleasably engage the plurality of nipples on the base plate.
 18. Thedouble base system of claim 15 wherein the at least one fasteningelement recess on at least one side of the side wall comprises: aplurality of fastening element recesses on the at least one side of thefirst base side wall, wherein the plurality of fastening elementrecesses are equidistantly spaced along the length of the one side ofthe first base side wall and positioned in a substantially lineararrangement to each other.
 19. The double base system of claim 18wherein the at least one fastening element being adapted to be removablyconnected to the least one fastening element recess comprises: aplurality of fastening elements on a single side of the second base sidewall, wherein the plurality of fastening elements are equidistantlyspaced along the length of the single side of the second base side walland positioned in a substantially linear arrangement to each other andwherein the spacing and positioning of the plurality of fasteningelements and the plurality of fastening element recesses issubstantially identical to permit the removable connection of theplurality of fastening elements with the plurality of fastening elementrecesses.
 20. The double base system of claim 19 wherein the at leastone side of the first base side wall and the single side of the secondbase side wall are adapted to be aligned along a first base line on aball field so that the entirety of the second base top is located infoul territory and is removable from the first base.
 21. The double basesystem of claim 20 wherein the second base top is adapted to bedislodged from the first base top upon the application of sufficientforce supplied by a player sliding into the second base top.
 22. Thedouble base system of claim 15 wherein the top surface of the secondbase top has a substantially convex shape.
 23. The double base system ofclaim 22 wherein the top surface of the second base top comprises: aplurality of parallel grooves oriented perpendicular to the single sideof the second base side wall.
 24. The double base system of claim 23wherein the bottom surface of the second base top has a substantiallyconcave shape.
 25. The double base system of claim 24 wherein the bottomsurface of the second base top further comprises: a plurality ofparallel ridges running substantially parallel to each other across andextending away from the bottom surface of the second base top andoriented perpendicular to a plane along the base edge of the second basetop.
 26. The double base system of claim 25 wherein the plurality ofparallel ridges extend beyond the plane along the base edge and the partof the parallel ridges extending beyond the plane along the base edge ofthe second base top have a substantially pointed end.
 27. The doublebase system of claim 26 wherein a cross-section of the part of theparallel ridges extending beyond the plane along the base edge of thesecond base top has a substantially triangular shape.
 28. The doublebase system of claim 15 wherein the at least one fastening elementrecess on at least one side of the first base side wall comprises: atleast one circular opening and slotted groove on one side of the firstbase side wall, wherein each of the at least one circular opening andslotted grooves is adapted to receive a fastening element into thecircular opening and permit the fastening element to slide along alength of the slotted groove away from the circular opening andremovably engage the slotted groove.
 29. The double base system of claim28 wherein the at least one circular opening and slotted groove islocated on a side along a first base line and oriented so that eachcircular opening is arranged closer to a home plate when the first basetop is installed in at a first base position on a ball field and eachslotted groove extends away from the circular opening and away from thehome plate.
 30. The double base system of claim 28 wherein the at leastone circular opening and slotted groove is located on a side along afirst base line and oriented so that each circular opening is arrangedaway from a home plate when the first base top is installed in at afirst base position on a ball field and each slotted groove extends awayfrom the circular opening and toward the home plate.
 31. The double basesystem of claim 15 wherein the second base top has a height less thanone half a height of the first base top.
 32. The double base system ofclaim 1 wherein the second base top has a height less than one half aheight of the first base top.
 33. A double base system comprising: abase plate including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portionhaving a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the top portionhaving a surrounding beveled edge and means for fastening, the bottomside having at least one edge adapted to removably receive an attachmentdevice, the bottom portion including a shaft having a top end and abottom end, with the top end being connected to substantially a middleof the bottom side of the top portion and extending substantiallyperpendicularly away from the bottom side of the top portion, the bottomportion being adapted to mate with and be held in position by a baseanchor, the bottom portion further including at least one threadedrecess in the bottom side of the top portion adapted to engage areciprocally threaded fastener element; a first base top includingreciprocal means for fastening located on a bottom side of the firstbase top that are adapted to be releasably connected to the fasteningmeans on the top portion of the base plate; and a second base topincluding a base portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall having a top and a bottom and the side wall extending completelyaround and downwardly away from a bottom edge of the top surface and abottom edge of the bottom surface and the bottom of the side walldefining a base edge around the bottom of the second base top, and anintegral connector flange as the attachment device and where theintegral connector flange has one or more finger portions eachconstructed to frictionally engage at least two interior side walls of acorresponding one of a plurality of cavities of the bottom surface andthen a second wall extending substantially perpendicularly and away froma bottom of the first wall and substantially parallel to and away fromthe bottom surface of the base portion, the integral connector flangebeing adapted to be removably connected to one of the at least one edgeon the bottom side of the base plate and adapted to removably be held inplace by the one or more finger portions when at least one of saidfinger portions engages its corresponding cavity of the bottom portionof the second base top so that the second base top is locatedimmediately adjacent to the first base top.